88R15499 MPF-D
 
  By: Birdwell S.B. No. 29
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to prohibited governmental entity implementation or
  enforcement of a vaccine mandate, mask requirement, or private
  business or school closure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle D, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 81B to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 81B.  PROHIBITED CORONAVIRUS PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
         Sec. 81B.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "COVID-19" means the 2019 novel coronavirus
  disease and any variants of the disease.
               (2)  "Governmental entity" means this state, a local
  government entity as defined by Section 418.004, Government Code,
  or an agency of this state or a local government entity.
         Sec. 81B.002.  PROHIBITED FACE-COVERING MANDATE.  A
  governmental entity may not implement, order, or otherwise impose a
  mandate requiring a person to wear a face mask or other face
  covering to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
         Sec. 81B.003.  PROHIBITED VACCINE MANDATE. A governmental
  entity may not implement, order, or otherwise impose a mandate
  requiring a person to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
         Sec. 81B.004.  PROHIBITED CLOSURE MANDATE FOR PRIVATE
  BUSINESSES AND SCHOOLS. A governmental entity may not implement,
  order, or otherwise impose a mandate requiring the closure of a
  private business, public school, open-enrollment charter school,
  or private school to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2023.